A Guide to the Columbian World’s Fair

Revised edition of a guidebook to the Columbian Expo printed the year prior to the fair.

“The cordial cooperation of modern governments demonstrates that the whole civilized world is interested in the enterprise, and there can be no doubt that visitors to the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893 will witness the most brilliant celebration of the progress of civilization which the world has ever known.” [pg. 62].

This interesting promotional guide to Chicago’s Columbian Exposition was published locally by Knight, Leonard & Company the year prior to the fair (1892). Dozens of pages of text and numerous illustrations provide a ‘sneak peek’ into the upcoming World’s Fair – one of the most iconic events of the 19th century.

The contents of numerous buildings and various exhibits are described in some detail using the latest available information. The guidebook concludes with a surprisingly detailed bird’s eye view of the fairgrounds at Jackson Park. Flanked by the rows of barns for the Live Stock Exhibit on the left and the Fine Arts Building (today’s Museum of Science and Industry) on the right, the image offers a carefully illustrated depiction of thirty-five different structures, features, and exhibits.

There would ultimately be several variations in the final design, such as the Moving Walkway (number 20) being extended onto a pier into Lake Michigan.